Six seek Democratic nomination for Coatesville Council

COATESVILLE – Three council seats are up for grabs during this primary election in the city, where candidates can file to run for more than one seat.

Running for the two at-large seats are: Jarrell Brazzle, Joseph Hamrick, Ingrid Jones, all incumbents. Challengers Amber Little and Patsy Ray are also seeking the Democratic nod for the two at large seats.

Running for the one Second Ward seat on the Democratic side are: Marie Hess, Jones and Ray.

Eric Quick Sr., meanwhile, is running unopposed for one of the at-large seats on the Republican side. All terms are four years.

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Brazzle, Hamrick and Jones, all council members in their first term, said they are running again to finish projects and achieve goals with their fellow council members. Their goals include beautifying the city. Their projects include revitalizing the train station.

Additionally, Hamrick complimented City Manger Kirby Hudson and the Coatesville Police Department administration for their work within the city.

Hamrick, 65, works as a service manager for Intermetro Industries Healthcare, a division of Emerson Solutions. He has been the vice president of the council for three years.

He said council is moving in the right direction.

“We’re moving forward and I just want to keep that going,” Hamrick said. He would like to see the city grow internally. “I want to be a part of that niche in developing our city.”

Hamrick first ran for council because he wanted to change the direction the city was heading in. He believes the change in city government helped with revitalization projects like the Courtyard by Marriott hotel along Route 82.

“I’m running again because I want to follow through on what we started,” Hamrick said.

Hamrick and Jones said they would like to see home ownership, pride and spirit in the city.

Jones, 71, is an executive assistant for the State Senate.

“We want to make it better,” Jones said about the current council members’ view of the city. “You’re supposed to be proud of where you live.”

She first decided to run for council due to the negative comments she heard about the city’s finances and condition. She wanted to make her contributions count.

“I think everybody at one time or another should honor a civic duty and moral obligation … (to) help your town,” she said.

Brazzle, 27, is on a committee working at getting a grocery store in Coatesville. This is one of his “personal biggest goals.” He would like to improve the residents’ lifestyles by having a grocery store in walkable distance.

“We still have a lot more to do to achieve goals in Coatesville for it to be the city we want it to be,” Brazzle said.

Hess, 34, is an elementary teacher.

Hess said residents deserve better than what they have seen over time. She has been actively involved in efforts to beautify the city.

“I want to be a part of the change that could happen in Coatesville,” Hess said. “I want to see good things happen for the good people in the city. We have a good family-oriented (lifestyle that) needs to be in the spotlight.”

She said when people feel better about where they live, more people want to help and that vibrant environment can improve someone’s outlook on life, surrounding their family life, how they spend their free time and for education.

Hess first started attending council meetings three years ago after the 10 p.m. curfew was installed in 2010. By attending meetings, she said she is already aware of what is happening with council’s decisions.

She and a few others asked residents to sign a petition to make curfew earlier. The group educated residents about the curfew. Hess sits on seven committees including the Coatesville policing committee and the Coatesville Park and Recreation Commission.

Hess volunteers as a coach for youth in the Coatesville United soccer program, sponsored through the JT Dorsey Foundation and US Soccer Foundation.

Amber and Ray were unavailable for comment despite multiple attempts to contact them.

Little is self-employed.

Ray is a minister. She has previously served on city council.

The primary will be held Tuesday.

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